LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 20, 2023: Liverpool's James Milner applauds the supporters after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Aston Villa FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 20, 2023: Liverpool's James Milner applauds the supporters after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Aston Villa FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
James Milner has returned to Liverpool as he begins his coaching career, working with youngsters at the Reds’ academy.
Milner only retired in the summer but is already back at work and developing as a coach ahead of a possible career in management.
He was spotted on Saturday morning in full Liverpool FC attire, taking an under-11s training session at the academy.
This Is Anfield can reveal that Milner has been helping at the club’s Kirkby training complex, coaching youngsters as he begins his post-retirement journey.
The 40-year-old is not a permanent member of staff, though, and is still gaining experience in the field.
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 28, 2023: Liverpool's James Milner waves to the travelling supporters after playing his final game for the club during the FA Premier League match between Southampton FC and Liverpool FC at St Mary's Stadium. The game ended in a 4-4 draw. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 28, 2023: Liverpool's James Milner waves to the travelling supporters after playing his final game for the club during the FA Premier League match between Southampton FC and Liverpool FC at St Mary's Stadium. The game ended in a 4-4 draw. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Having previously coached at the academy while playing for Liverpool, Milner has already completed his UEFA A Licence and just has the Pro Licence to finish.
Back in March, he told Goal: “I enjoy the stuff, helping the younger boys on the training field.
“The manager (Fabian Hurzeler) involved me a lot in the coaching side last year when I was injured and involving me in their meetings and stuff, and there’s a lot I enjoy to it.
“It’s also a very hard job and you see how hard they’re working. You see managers flying and get manager of the month and a new contract, and they get sacked seven games later.
“So it’s a very difficult job to do, one that sometimes I think I’d love to have a go at, especially with it being tough.
“I’ve got that mindset that you want to go and show you can do it, but who knows.”
Jurgen Klopp told James Milner to “have a break”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, October 18, 2021: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp (R) chats with James Milner (L) during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Group B Matchday 3 game between Club Atlético de Madrid and Liverpool FC. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, October 18, 2021: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp (R) chats with James Milner (L) during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Group B Matchday 3 game between Club Atlético de Madrid and Liverpool FC. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
While Milner is out there and actively leading sessions, he isn’t yet involved in senior management.
The former midfielder is clearly still fit, though, and very motivated. Last week, he ran 20 miles at a speed of 4:32km per hour.
Of course, that in no way makes Milner a great coach, but his dedication and professionalism will act as a fantastic example to young players.
“Jurgen told me, ‘When you finish, the first thing you need to do is have a break’,” Milner added.
“I think when you’ve been at the intensity I’ve been at for as many years as I have, I think that is important to take stock and have a little break and work out what the next step is and see where we go from there.
Brighton and Hove Albion's James Milner applauds the fans before the Premier League match at the Gtech Community Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday February 21, 2026.
Brighton and Hove Albion's James Milner applauds the fans before the Premier League match at the Gtech Community Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday February 21, 2026.
“There are definitely aspects of the coaching side I love. Being on the pitch and helping the players and finding it quite easy to see things in a session, what’s not quite right.
“But then obviously you need to learn your skills on the other side, session planning.”
Having played for Jurgen Klopp, Bobby Robson, Kevin Keegan, Martin O’Neill and Fabio Capello, to name just a few, Milner has a wealth of experience to draw from if he does go into management.
While he isn’t yet a part of the first-team setup, the fact that Milner has maintained his links with Liverpool is a positive sign for those wanting to see him on Andoni Iraola’s staff in the future.
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